Transposition of the Great Arteries

Pioneers of the Arterial Switch Operation

In infants born with transposition of the great arteries, the anatomical positions of the pulmonary artery and the aorta are switched, so that the aorta rises from the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery arises from the left ventricle. This abnormality results in oxygen-poor blood, a life-threatening medical emergency requiring immediate treatment soon after birth.

NewYork-Presbyterian's pediatric heart surgeons in the Congenital Heart Center pioneered the innovative arterial switch procedure for infants born with transposition of the great arteries. This operation re-establishes normal anatomy and function while reducing the risk of complications associated with other surgical approaches. We have performed more than 400 arterial switch procedures since 1990, and our surgeons have been at the forefront of a series of evolutionary operations.

Nationally Ranked:U.S.News & World Report has ranked our pediatric hospitals among the top pediatric cardiology and heart surgery programs in the country, reflecting our reputation and excellent surgical outcomes, the expertise of our surgical teams, our high volume of cases, and other data related to patient care.

One of the Largest Newborn Heart Programs: The largest referral center in New York State for babies born with congenital heart disease, we admit approximately 200 babies every year. We have the highest survival rate in New York State for pediatric heart surgery and one of the highest in the United States — even though our surgeons routinely treat some of the most complex cases, with many children referred from other institutions.

High Volumes and Exceptional Outcomes: As a subspecialty referral center, a large proportion of the babies transferred to us have complex transpositions involving transposition of the great arteries AND either a ventricular septal defect (VSD) or aortic arch problem, such as aortic coarctation or Taussig-Bing anomaly. We also see an unusually large proportion of low-birthweight babies with transposition. From 2009 through 2012, we performed 77 arterial switch procedures. Our overall hospital discharge mortality rate following the operation was 1.2 percent (lower than the 4.2 percent Society of Thoracic Surgeons national benchmark).

Nationally Designated NICU: Our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is a nationally designated Level IIIC NICU. This means we have attained the highest recognition possible in neonatal intensive care, reserved for centers caring for the smallest and sickest newborns and supporting your child's chance of a good outcome. Your baby will receive compassionate, focused care from specialists experienced in the treatment of the tiniest patients with heart disorders.